UCCF: tackling loneliness at university

As campuses get bigger and social media gets louder, there is an increasing danger of loneliness in our universities.

According to recent research, people between the ages of 16 and 24 are the loneliest in our society, with one in six saying they have not found any real friends while at university.1

A heavenly welcome

Operating at the heart of university life and motivated by our God, who did not leave us in our darkness but came to share in it and save us from our lostness, Christian Unions (CUs) are well-placed to address this rise in loneliness. As they share the gospel with those around them, their words are reinforced by practical love for the lost and lonely.

Starting as they meant to go on, last term saw CUs up and down the country welcoming freshers – both believers and unbelievers alike. At the beginning of the academic year in particular, they are seeking to be welcoming communities that model and point to the welcome of our Heavenly Father.

City University CU in London, for example, provided a home-cooked meal and a space for students to build friendships at the start of their time at university. The room was full. ‘It was an amazing evening with a great atmosphere,’ London Staff Worker Emma says.

‘The gospel was proclaimed and students who didn’t know Jesus were warmly welcomed. Students were invited to go with CU members to their respective churches the following Sunday, which at least one has continued to do.’

Similarly, Hertfordshire CU held an international freshers’ meal in September. The CU of fewer than 30 were amazed when around 300 international students turned up.

A personal invitation

The offer of friendship and community is compelling. In Exeter, an unbelieving student signed up to the CU’s ‘buddy system’ simply because she wanted to find a friend. She has since gone to CU events and talks about the gospel with her buddy.

Wonderfully, over the last few months some of these warm encounters have led individuals to a personal friendship with Christ. Ali* at Treforest, University of South Wales, recently gave his life to Christ, pointing to faithful friendships and the CU family as key parts of his journey to faith.

For many others, they are drawn by hearing of the friend who sticks closer than a brother. ‘It was amazing to see the effect of the CU genuinely caring for students during freshers’ week,’ says Helen, CU Staff Worker in Essex. ‘As a result, a few students asked to read the Bible or said they wanted to find out more about Jesus.’

Similarly, a student at Aberystwyth recently shared how scared she had been about starting university, but because of the welcome she received from the CU she instantly felt at home. As a result, she’s asked to read the Bible with someone. We pray that students like this will come to know the welcome of our Heavenly Father this coming term.

Kate Duncan is Head of Development & Communications at UCCF: The Christian Unions.

1 bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2018/loneli-est-age-group-radio-4, independent.co.uk/news/ education/education-news/student-lonely-univer-sity-friends-mental-health-research-a8839011.html